About our Speakers and Panel Members:

Leong Boon Choo
Born in 1962 in Melaka, Boon Choo moved to Melbourne in 1980 to study at Monash University. Now a Singaporean with a family, he is the author of Rights to the World, his second book following The Democratic Outcome State (2020).
Boon’s career spans the banking, insurance, and automotive sectors across eight countries, including Malaysia, Australia, the UK, and China. He played a key role in establishing GM dealerships in Asia before transitioning into finance, where he held senior roles at ABN AMRO, RBS, ANZ, MetLife, and Manulife, including Global CFO of ABN AMRO Wholesale Services in London.

Despite his demanding career, Boon draws inspiration from everyday life across cultures, driven by a deep curiosity about often-overlooked questions.

Lek Kok Hou
Kok Hou, a former senior officer involved in Singapore’s key investment projects in Suzhou and Tianjin, has successfully traced his ancestral roots back to Chaoshan, China. His emotional journey of rediscovery was captured by Mediacorp in a special feature, which follows his visit to his ancestral home. The programme is scheduled to air in June this year.
This meaningful project was made possible with the support of Nathan from GSS, who played a key role in introducing Lek to Mediacorp, facilitating the connection that led to the documentary’s production.

Nathan Co (Panel Discussant)
Nathan, a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience in banking and fintech, is the founder of Chinese Ancestry Research (CAR), established in late 2023. Since its inception, CAR has rapidly grown, amassing a vibrant community of over 24,000 members.

In a significant development, CAR is partnering with ChinoyTV, a prominent TV and media company based in the Philippines, to co-produce a series of documentaries focused on Chinese genealogy and heritage. This collaboration aims to deepen the understanding of Chinese roots and cultural identity, particularly among overseas Chinese communities